Episode 077: Massage Meets Research: Building an Evidence Base for Massage Therapy

Research is often seen as the foundation of modern healthcare. It provides the evidence that guides treatments, validates therapies, and ensures that care is both effective and safe. In massage therapy, the need for research is particularly urgent. While countless clients and practitioners know firsthand the benefits of massage, the lack of robust research can limit its recognition and acceptance in broader healthcare systems.

IIn this episode of the Folding Towels Podcast, Jackie and David host three remarkable guests—Rona Moore, Dr. Jan Douglass, and Dr. Sarah Fogarty—to unpack the importance of research in massage therapy. They share practical strategies for therapists to get involved in research, discuss the limitations of traditional research paradigms, and highlight the transformative role evidence-based practice can play in advancing the profession. Whether you’re a seasoned therapist or just starting out, this exploration will leave you inspired to engage with research in ways that are meaningful and impactful.

Why Research Matters in Massage Therapy

Research isn’t just about ticking a box for validation—it’s about improving practice, driving innovation, and elevating the entire profession. For massage therapists, embracing research can lead to:

The Benefits of Research

• Enhanced Credibility: Evidence-based research helps position massage therapy as a legitimate healthcare option, earning respect from medical professionals and organizations.
• Better Client Outcomes: Therapists can refine their techniques by staying informed about the latest research, ensuring their clients receive the best possible care.
• Professional Growth: Research engagement fosters critical thinking, encourages lifelong learning, and reignites passion for the practice.
• Advocacy Opportunities: Data-driven insights strengthen the ability to secure funding, influence policy changes, and improve industry recognition.

“Research doesn’t just validate our work—it inspires us to keep growing and improving,” says Dr. Sarah Fogarty.

The Challenges

While the benefits are clear, massage therapy faces significant hurdles when it comes to research:

• Funding Limitations: Massage research often competes with high-profile fields such as cancer and pharmaceuticals for limited grants.
• Accessibility: Therapists frequently encounter paywalls when trying to access academic research.
• Complex Practice: Massage therapy is highly individualized, which makes it difficult to fit into rigid research frameworks like randomized controlled trials.

Rona Moore: Making Research Accessible to Every Therapist

Rona Moore emphasizes that research isn’t just for academics—it’s for every therapist. Her advice is practical, encouraging therapists to start small, focus on manageable projects, and see research as an extension of their natural curiosity.

Start Small with Case Studies

Case studies are an excellent entry point for therapists interested in research. These detailed accounts of individual client experiences allow practitioners to document treatment processes, track outcomes, and share valuable insights with others.

Example: Chronic Pain Management

Suppose you work with a client suffering from chronic lower back pain due to prolonged sitting. Over several sessions, their pain decreases, and their range of motion improves significantly. By documenting these changes—using pain scale scores, photos, and client feedback—you can create a compelling case study to share with peers or publish in a trade journal.

“Case studies allow therapists to ask questions and explore answers, making them a great starting point for anyone interested in research,” Rona explains.

Benefits of Case Studies

• Easy to conduct and document.
• Highlight unique or rare cases.
• Provide detailed, real-world insights that can inspire other therapists.

Quality Improvement Projects

For therapists looking to evaluate and enhance their practice, quality improvement (QI) projects are a practical and impactful research avenue. These projects focus on assessing and improving specific aspects of service delivery.

Example: A Bereavement Massage Program

Rona shares her experience with a bereavement massage program at Eastern Palliative Care. A simple survey of clients revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, prompting the organization to expand the program. This demonstrates how even small-scale projects can lead to significant improvements.

How to Conduct a Quality Improvement Project

1. Identify the Area of Focus: Choose a specific question or aspect of your practice to investigate (e.g., client satisfaction or treatment outcomes).
2. Use a Framework: Models like PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) provide structure for QI projects.
3. Gather Data: Use client feedback forms, pain scales, or other measurable indicators.
4. Analyze and Act: Evaluate the results and implement changes based on your findings.

“Quality improvement helps therapists think critically about their work and implement meaningful changes,” Rona says.

The Value of Grey Literature

Rona encourages therapists to explore and contribute to grey literature, which includes research published outside of peer-reviewed journals. Examples include blogs, trade journals, and conference posters. While not as rigorous as academic publications, grey literature is an accessible and valuable way to share knowledge.

“Grey literature isn’t just filler—it’s a vital avenue for sharing insights, especially in fields like massage therapy where formal research may be scarce,” Rona explains.

Dr. Jan Douglass: Challenging Traditional Research Paradigms

Dr. Jan Douglass offers a critical perspective on traditional research paradigms, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs). While RCTs are often seen as the gold standard in healthcare research, Jan argues that they’re poorly suited to the individualized and dynamic nature of massage therapy.

The Limitations of RCTs in Massage Therapy

RCTs are designed for highly controlled experiments, such as drug trials, where variables can be isolated and standardized. However, this model struggles to accommodate the complexity of massage therapy.

Key Challenges with RCTs

• Blinding: In an RCT, neither the therapist nor the client knows whether they’re receiving the intervention. This is impossible in massage therapy.
• Homogeneity: RCTs require large groups of similar participants, but massage clients present with diverse conditions and needs.
• Complex Outcomes: Massage often addresses chronic conditions and subjective experiences that are difficult to quantify in a controlled setting.

“RCTs are great for some fields, but they don’t reflect the real-world practice of massage therapy,” Jan explains.

Practice-Based Evidence vs. Evidence-Based Practice

To overcome these limitations, Jan advocates for practice-based evidence, which values real-world data over strict experimental control.

Why Practice-Based Evidence Matters

• Focuses on practical outcomes rather than theoretical constructs.
• Reflects the diversity of clients and their experiences.
• Allows for flexibility in treatment approaches.

“We need research that mirrors how we actually practice, not how someone in a lab thinks we should,” Jan says.

The Role of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research methods, such as interviews and focus groups, are essential for exploring the subjective aspects of massage therapy. These approaches complement quantitative data, offering a more holistic view of treatment outcomes.

Benefits of Qualitative Research

• Captures client experiences and emotions.
• Highlights the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
• Provides rich, narrative data that enhances understanding.

“Mixed-methods research, which combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, is especially promising for massage therapy,” Jan explains.

Dr. Sarah Fogarty: A Researcher’s Journey

Dr. Sarah Fogarty has dedicated her career to advancing massage therapy through research, with over 40 publications to her name. Her journey offers valuable insights for therapists looking to engage with research.

Breaking Down Barriers to Entry

Sarah acknowledges that many therapists feel overwhelmed by the idea of conducting research, especially if they lack academic backgrounds. However, she emphasizes that starting small—through case studies or collaboration—can lead to meaningful contributions.

Steps to Get Started

1. Write a Case Study: Start by documenting a unique client experience.
2. Pursue Further Education: Enroll in research-focused courses or degree programs.
3. Build Connections: Reach out to researchers or academics working in related fields.

“Research isn’t just for academics—it’s for anyone with curiosity and the willingness to learn,” Sarah says.

Navigating Ethics in Research

Ethics play a central role in any research project. Sarah stresses the importance of:

• Informed Consent: Ensure clients fully understand the research and provide written permission.
• Client Safety: Minimize risks and prioritize well-being.
• Transparency: Share findings responsibly and accurately.

“Good research isn’t just about results—it’s about respecting the people who make it possible,” Sarah explains.

The Challenge of Funding

Massage therapy research often struggles to secure funding, competing with larger, more established fields. Sarah suggests:

• Exploring grants specific to massage therapy.
• Partnering with universities or healthcare organizations.
• Publishing in open-access journals to reach a wider audience.

The Broader Impact of Research on Massage Therapy

Research has the power to elevate the massage profession in profound ways:

• Increased Recognition: Evidence-based insights help massage therapy gain legitimacy in healthcare.
• Better Client Care: Therapists can refine their skills and offer more effective treatments.
• Inspiration for Growth: Engaging with research encourages therapists to think critically and innovate.

“Research validates what we do, but it also drives us to do better,” Sarah reflects.

Conclusion

Research is not just for academics—it’s for every massage therapist who wants to contribute to the growth and recognition of the profession. Whether it’s writing a case study, conducting a quality improvement project, or collaborating on a larger study, there are countless ways to get involved.

By embracing research, massage therapists can enhance their practice, improve client outcomes, and help build a future where massage therapy is an integral part of healthcare. So, what will your first step into research be?